Telephone switch system



(No Model.) s'shees-fshet 1.

o. GJGOULMU W. SMITH. TELEPHONE SWITCH SYSTEM.

N0. 355,928. i PatentedJan. 11, 1.887.

M PETERS. Phawmhagmphar. wuhingxon. D. C,

(No Model.) s sheets-sheet; 2f C. C. GOULD 81; W. SMITH.

TELEPHONE SWITCH SYSTEM.

Patented Jan. 11, 188,7.

L Q d Kus/4.1

N. rvs-mss Phmumugmpnar. wwwa". n. c.

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. C. GOULD 8a W. SMITH. TELEPHONE SWITCH SYSTEM.

N0. 355,928. ,Patenlaed Jan'. 11, 1887.

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c UNTTBD STATES i PATENT Trice.

CLAUDE O. GOULD, OF BUFFALO, AND 'WALTON SMITH, OF BATAVIA,

ASSIGNORS OF ONE-FOURTHTO PHILP W. SCRIBNEB, OF TONA- TAN DA, NEV YORK.

TELEPHONE SWITCH SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,928, dated January11. 1887,

Application tiled February 23, 1886. Serial No. 192,755. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it know nthat we, CLAUDE O. GQULD, of Buffalo, in the county ofErieand State of New York, and XVALTON SMITH, of Batavia, in the county ofGenesee and State of New York,

have invented new and useful Improvements' vin Telephone Switch Systems,of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to switch-boards for making connections betweenthe various lines which terminate at the central office of atelephone-exchange.

The object ot' our inventionA is to provide means whereby the subscriberautomatically breaks the ground-connection of hisline at the centraloflice, and leaves the line open until the operator closes the same,when the operator is enabled ato speak to the subscriber, therebyplacing in the hands of the subscriber means for determining withcertainty whether his call has been received at the central o'- iice. A

A further object of our invention is to provide means whereby thevarious subscribers on the section or table of one operator can beconnected with eachother without the use of cords, plugs, or othersimilar contrivances; also, to provide means whereby the subscribers onthe section or table f one operator can reach orbe reached by anysubscri'ber at the central ofticemore directly and more expeditiouslythan heretofore.

Our invention consists ofthe improvements, which will be hereinafterfully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure l is adiagram representing three sectional switch-boards of a oentral officeprovided with our improved system. Fig. 2 is a diagram representing themanner of connecting the subscribers on one l section each with theother, and also how said line a: x, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a top plan view ofone of the levers and connectingfparts. Fig,

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation of the mechan- Y ism for replacing theannunciator-aprons.

10 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. Sis a diagram showing the Like letters of reference refer to likeparts i in the several figures.

A B O represent three sectional switch'- boards arranged side by side,the upper portions, a, of which are preferably arranged ver-,.

tically,or at right angles to the lower or table portions, a', asrepresented in Fig. 3. Each table portion a -of the sections A B C isprovided with a number of disks, D, equal to the number of subscribersWires arranged upon openings formed in the table portions a in anysuitable manner. The disks D are each provided with a groundcontact-point, d, and an out or dead contactpoint, d. The latter areIconnected by means of cords d2, with plugs d3, seated in openings dt,formed in the vertical portions a of the sections 'A B C. The plugs cl3are provided with a non-conductive knob, a, whereby they may bemanipulated, and a conductive or metallic portion, a3, with which thecords di are connected. K

' B represents the annunciators provided with the usual aprons or drops,b', and arranged upon shelves or supports b2 at the upper ends ot' thevertical portions a of the sections A B C.

. c represents a downwardly-projecting armature arranged between thecoils c c'l of the annunciator, and secured to or formed onthe underside of a horizontal vibrating lever, c3, which latter is pivoted aboutmidway ot' its length in vertical standards o, secured to the bed-platec5 of the annunciator B.

cG represents a hook or projection formed on the upper side Vof thelever c3 at its outer end. The hook 0G engages overa shoulder, c7,formed in an opening, o8, in the apron b', and

serves to hold the latter in an elevated position in the usual manner.

E represents a short horizontal lever arranged slightly above and on oneside of the lever c3, and pivoted to a bracket, e, secured to the rearvertical wall,e',of the switch-board. The opposite end of the lever Epasses through an opening, e2, in the wall e', and is provided at itsouter upper end with an inclined nose, e3, arranged at right angles tothe lever E, and engaging against a nose, e, formed on the under side ota pivoted lever, F, as clearly Shown in Fig. 4.

e5 represents a short horizontal pin secured to the lever c3 near itsinner end and projecting at right angles thereto. The pinl e5 is adaptedto engage against the under side of the inner end of the lever E andlift thelatter when the armature C is vibrated, t-hereby releasing thehook e3 from the lever F, and rendering the latter free to swing. on itspivotf. The vibration of the lever ca at the same time releases the hookc from the apron b', and allows the latter to fallin the usual manner.

e6 represents a spring secured at one end in the wall e', and bearingwith its free end against the under side of the lever E, to return thelatter to its normal position after having l been tipped by the leverc3. The lever E bears 30 against the under sideofthefopening etherebylimiting its upward movement.

F- represents a coiled or other suitable spring secured at one end tothe lever F, .and

at its opposite end to a pin,f, secured to the l rear side of the walle, and serving to throw the lever F in the direction of the arrow, Fig.

4, when the latter is released from the hook e3 of the lever E.

f2 represents a taut cord, preferably of catgut, secured at one end tothe side of the lever F, opposite the spring F, and passing overrollersfsf. The cord f2 is secured atits opposite end to the arm f5 of ahorizontal belicra-nk lever, F2, which is pivoted to the under side ofthe table a.-

G G represent two metal levers or springs, forming, the terminal of thesubscribers line,

. and arranged respectively above and below the disk D. The levers G Gbear with their free ends against the upper and lower ends of thecontact-points, with which they are placed in communication. As shown inFigs. 3 and 5, the levers G G bear against the groundpoint d, onopposite ends thereof', thus insuring a perfect contact between theparts, which is especially desirable when the parts are in their normalposition. (Shown in Figs. 2, 3,. and 5.) The inner endsof the levers G Gare provided with hubs g, which are -secured by soldering, or otherwise,to a movable vertical metal tube, G3, so as to turn therewith.

G* represents a wooden or other non-conductive hand-lever arranged abovethe disk D,and secured with its central enlargement to the vertical tubeG5, so 'as-to turn therewith. The hand-lever Gtis preferablyprovidedwith a handle, G5, to facilitate the manipulation of the same. The tubeG3 is arranged centrally in an opening in the disk D,andis held againstvertical movement in the latter by the levers G G and the hand-lever G4.The tube G3 projects upwardly through the hub of the lever G4. andterminates in a cavity or recess, G,

formed in the lever G4. lThe lever G', whichA is arranged underneath thedisk D, is made somewhat longer than the upper lever, G, and is providednear its outer end with a downwardly-projecting pin orstud, g.

When the armature cof the annunciator has been vibrated and the lever` F,and apron b have been released, as above described, the lever F ismoved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, by means of the spring F',thereby drawing upon the cord f2 ofthe bell-cranklever F2 and causingthe arm f of the latter Ato strike against the pin g of the lever GLandmove the same and the lever G to the left, in the direction of thearrow, Fig. 5. By this means the movable terminal formed by the levers GG is moved automatically vby the current passing through the subscriberswire in such manner as to break the ground-connection at the centraloffice, thereby preventing the subscriber from signaling through theline until the line is again closed by the operator. As the levers F, G,and G are moved simultaneously with the falling ofthe indicating-apron,a double notice is given to the operator that a subscriber has called.This movement ofthe levers G G opening the subscribers line notities thesubscriber that his callA `crossed and the call be not received at thecentral oflice,it will be apparent to the subscriber at once, because hecan continue to ring his call-bell, and he will be at once informed bythis fact that his line is out of order. Should the apron b fail tofall, from bad adjustment or any other cause, when the'armature isvibrated,the call is made known to the operator by the lever G movingott' the ground-point d on the subscribers disk D.

g2 represents a ring or annular iange formed on the under side of thedisk D, and forming a Way for the lever Gl to ride over when being movedfrom one contact-point to another.

H represents a step-shaped disk or pulley of non-conductive materialsecured to the lower portion of the tube G3, so as to turn therewith,and provided with a series of annular metal plates or rings, h 71, h2 h,secured thereto in any suitable manner. i i i2 i3 represent stationarymetal springs or contact-points secured to a cross-piece, i, underneaththe table a', and bearing with their' free endsagainst the under side ofthe rings h h h2 h3, respectively. By this construction a uniformcontact is maintained between the parts when the hand-lever G4 is movedto any point on the disk.

I represents the push-button of the operators listening-telephonearrangedl above the `lever Gt, and provided with a downwardly- IOO IZO

'projecting metallic stem, j, moving in an opening in the upper end ofthelcver G4. The button I is provided near its'lower end with twocontact-points, jjl, which are separated by a non-conductor, jg.

j* represents a spiral spring arranged between the Ybutton I andthelever G4, whereby the button I is held in an elevated position,- therebycausing the lower contact-point, jl, to bear against the under side of aprojecting nose or contact-point, j, formed on the tube G3. 'Ihepointy"2 of the button I is connected with the line 7c by means of awire, j, ring t, and contact-spring t".

K representsthe generator push button, which is provided with a metallicstem, Z, mov-4 ing through an opening in the lever G4, and which isprovided at its lower end with a contact-plate, Z.

Z2 is a small dat spring, which serves to hold the button K in anelevated position ready for use.

Z3 represents a concave metallic disk seated in a corresponding recesssin the lever G, and made to conform to the metallic convex lowerportion, Z*, of the button K, so as to forni a reliable contact betweenthe parts when the button K is depressed.

Z5 represents a projecting nose or contactpoint, provided preferablywith a fiat upper surface, and formed on the metallic tube G belouT thecontact-plate Z. The metallic disk Z3 is connected with the generator bymeans of vthe line Z, ring 71, spring t', andwire k2.

m represents a metallic contact-point secured in the lever G'L in anysuitable manner, and connected with the cperators listeningtelephone Mby a wire, m', ring h2, spring i, and wire m2. The return-Wire 'm3 ofthe listening-telephone is connected with the contactpoint j ofthe stemj by means of a wire, m, ring h3, and spring i,

m5 represents a contact-point formed on the tube G3, above the nose j,and below the contact-point j of the button l, and adapted to receivethe point j' when the button I is depressed and form a Contacttherewith. It will thus be seen that upon depressing the pushbutton l,so as to make a contact between the points j and m5 and the points j?and m, the operators listening-telephone M is looped in on the maincircuit without interposing a ground-wire between the two connectedsubscribers.

N N represent two metal contact-points secured to the rear wall, e', andpreferably made V-shaped, as shown in Fig. 7, to correspond with theinclined sides of the lever F and insure a more perfect contact betweenthe parts.

The contact-points N N are arranged on opposite sides of the lever F, asshown in Figs. 2, 6, and 7, so that when the lever F is held in itsnormal position by the lever E the subscribers line n enters the centralofice through the contact-point N to y and through the annunciator B',to the contact-point NQ wire k, spring Z', ring h', to the wire j,contact-points j2 f5, metal tube G3, levers G G', and to theground-point d on the subscribers disk D.

vEach disk D is provided with as many local contact-points p as thereare remaining subscribers on the section upon which said disk leases theapron b and lever F,thelatter moves the levers G G on disk No. l, asabove described,and the operator turns the levers G G back to theground-point and ascertains that the subscriber wants, for instance, No.2. TheU r s operator then turns the levers G G on No.1

subscriber-s disk by means of the hand-lever GL to contact-point p No.2, which movement returns the lever F to its normal position by thecrank F'l and cordfz. on disk No. l is now connected by the wire n2 withthe contact-point N of annunciator No. 2. The operator now presses thegeneratorbutton K on disk No. l, which causes the ar- The point p No. 2

mature of annunciator No. 2 t0 vibra-tc'and'N v release its apron b and;lever F in the same manner as in the case of No. l subscriberscall,.thereby automatically removing the 1e- `vers G G on No. 2 diskfrom ground-point d,

ICO

as above described. This movement rings both subscribers bells,notifying them that the connection between them is completed. It willthus be seen that the operator performs the same service for the calledsubscriber which the calling subscriber performs for himsel f---thatis,the call of the operator automatically breaks the ground-connectionof the called subscribers line at the central office, and removes theground-connection betweenthe connected subscribers. Subscribers Nos. 1and 2 are now connected through the levers G G on No. l disk, as abovedescribed, to contact-point No. 2, disk No. l, wire n2, contactpoint NofNo. 2 drop, and main line at to No. 2 subscriber. 4Subscribers Nos. land 2 having been thus connected the operator replaces the fallen apronsof Nos. l and 2 annunciators,ready to be rung oft'. By thus replacingthe apron of N o. l annunciator the lever F is again released andassumes the same position as the lever F of No 2 annunciator. /Vhen thesubscriber rings oft', the apron of No. l annunciator falls, theoperator again replaces the same and turns the levers G G on disk No.2to the ground-point Z,which'move f ment again replaces the lever Finitsoriginal position, ready for another call. The operator yne'cting thevarious subscribers on one section in this manner we dispense entirelywith the use of the usual plugs, cords, &c., for effecting a localconnection, thereby making the desired .connections rapidly and with agreat degree -of certainty.

P represents a series of contact-points permanently connected tocorresponding points lon the other boards, and arranged in rows in -thevertical portions a of each ofthe sections A B C. The number ofcontact-points vP on eac-h section correspond with the number ofsubscribers on every other table. For exam- Yple, section A has numbers4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, as this section can reach numbers 1, 2, and 3 locally.Section B has numbers 1,2,3,7,8,9, andsection C has numbers 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, their own local number not being represented in the contactpointsP, as they are likewise enabled to reach their individual subscribers inthe same manner as section A.

The contact-points P are preferably each constructed of a metallic tube,p, inserted through an opening in the vertical portion a of the section,and provided at its inner end wit-h an external screwthread,over whichengages an internally-screw-threaded nipple, p. The tube or sleeve p isprovided with a shoulder, p2, so that upon tightening the nipple p theparts are firmly held in place. The sleeve p is provided withtwo'V-shaped metal contact points or springs, which are secured in placeby soldering,or otherwise, and which serve to firmly secure the plugs d3in place and form a Contact therewith when the latter are inserted inthe contact-points P.

p* represents a wire or other suitable connection, which is secu red atone end to the automatic lever F of each annunciator Band which isconnected with the nipple p of each p contact-point P throughout thesystem, numbered to correspond with the annunciator from which itemauates.

and provided with horizontal arms Q', which are adapted to replace theindicating-aprons b when required. q g represent short links pivoted insuitaable bearings in the frame a, and pivoted at q2 to the bar Q. Thelower link, q', is provided with an arm, gf, extending rearwardlythrough an opening, g4, in the frame a, and restingv against the upperend of this slot, which thereby holds the rod Q in its normal position.

g5 represents a cord running over pulleys q and connected at one endtothe arm g3 and at its opposite end to an arm, ql, of a handlever,

R, which latter is pivoted at r in a suitable bearing arranged on thehorizontal portion a of the section. Upon moving the handle R in theproper direction the lifting-barQ is caused to move upwardly andinwardly, thereby replacing all of the fallen indicator-apronssimultaneously. The cross-bars Q also serve to support the fallen apronsb.

The operation of our improved switch system is as follows: When, forexample, subscriber No. 1 calls the central oiiice through the line nand ground-point d, as before described, the vibration of the armature creleases the apron b and the lever F, which latter is drawn away fromthe contact-point N to the contact-point N by the coil-spring F. Thismovement ot' the lever ,F causes the levers G G to move to the left bymeans of the cord f 2 and bell-crank lever F2, thereby breaking theconnection with the ground-contact point. The operator now moves thelevers G G back to the ground-point d, thus throwing the lever F back tocontact-point N and in engagement with the hook e of the lever E by thepin g of the lever G striking against the arm f6 of the bell-crank Fland movingthe latter back to its original position, asshown in Fig. v5.The operator now presses the pushbutton l, which loops inthelistening-telephone M, and ascertains that the subscriber wants,

say, No. 9. The operator then turns the le-v vers G G back tocontact-point d and inserts plug d3 of disk No. 1 in contact-point P No.

lever F of annunciator No. 9, to contact-pointv N, to and through saidannunciator No. 9 to the levers G G on No. 9 subscribers disk. Thevibrationof armature No. 9 releases the lever F of said armature andmoves the levers G G on said disk in the same manner as in the case ofNo. 1 subscriber s tirst call, thus completing the connection andringing both subscribers bells simultaneously. Subscribers Nos. 1 and 9are now connected through the cord d2 and contact-point P No. 9 ofsection A with the lever F, contact-point N, annunciator B',contact-point N, and main line n of section C by means of the wire p".The operator now pulls on the hand-lever R, replac- IIO ing No. 1 apronready to be rung off. It will be seen that in'making this connectionbetween Nos. 1 and 9 the apron bA of No. 9 annunciator on the table Chas fallen simultal `neously with thernovement of the levers G G on No.9 disk,which indicates to the operator on this section that No. 9 hascalled. This operator then moves the levers G G of 'disk No. 9 back tothe ground-point d, loops in the listening-telephone, and tinds No. 9 isin use by some other operator. Y The operator then sition a-nd replacesthe apron b of No. 9 annunciator by means of the lever R, which leavesthe apron ready to be rung off.

All electrical disturbancessuch as electriclight currents entering theline by crossing, lightning, or other electrical currents whichmayiniiuence the main line sufficiently to cause the armaturectovibrate-will beinstantly arrested by the lever F moving the levers G Goff the groundpoint d, thereby o pening the line and insuring the systemagainst fire.

4The levers or ngers G G constitute the movable terminal, which isautomatically moved out of its normal position by the current passingthrough the line. constitutes the terminal actuator, which is set inmotion by the current passing through the line, and which moves theterminal out of its normal position. Ve do not wish to limit ourselvesto thespecic mechanical construction of these devices, because they canbe changed without departing from the spirit of our invention. Forinstance, while the automatically-movable terminal has in the presentapplication a turning movement about a vertical axis, it has in anotherapplication filed by us September 2, 1886, Serial No. 212,450, arectilinear movement, and while the terminal actuator is composed of apivoted lever in the present application it is composed of areciprocating-bar in said subsequent application.

We are aware that it is not new to disconnect the line automaticallyfrom the ground and connect it` by the saine operation with theoperators telephone,and We do not claim such a construction of t-heswitch system.

We-do not wish to claim in this application any improvement which isclaimed in another application led by us September 2,1S86,Serial No.212,450.

We claim as our invention- 1. In a switchboard system, thecombination,with the main line,of a movable terminal, and a line-openingmechanism, substantially as described, whereby the terminal isautomatically moved to open the line, and is held open upon a currentpassing through the line, substantially as set forth.

2.' In a switch-board system, the combination, with the main line, of aground-point, a movable terminal, and a line-opening mechanism,substantially as described,whereby the terminal is automatically movedfrom the ground-point and held out of contact, thereby holding the lineopen until it is closed by the operator, substantially as set forth.

3. In a switch-board system, the combina-` tion,with the main line andits annunciator,of a movable terminal, an actuating-lever connected withsaid terminal, and a stop connected with the annunciator andreleasingthe actuating-lever automatically upon a current passingthrough the line, substantially as set forth.

4. In a switch-board system, the combination,with the main line,ofamovable'terminal,

The lever F' the lever F is locked in position, an armature and coil,whereby said stop is released, and mechanism, substantially asdescribed, wherebythe actuating-lever F is connected with the movableterminal, substantially as set forth.`

nal and a lever, F, interposed between two contact-points, N N', of themain circuit, of the annunciator mechanism, whereby the lever F is heldin contact with one of said mainline contact-points when in its normalposition, and a tension device, F', whereby the lever F is automaticallymoved from the consubstantially as set forth.

6. In a switchboard'system, the combination, with the movable terminallevers G G', bearing on opposite sides of the ground-point when in theirnormal position, and a movable tube, G3,connecting said levers,of amovable lever, F, connectedwith the annunciator mechanism, a bell-cranklever, F2, and a cord,

F, and adapted to move the levers G G from their normal position whenthe lever F is released, substantially as set forth.

7 The combination, in a switch-board system, of a pivoted lever, F,arranged between two contact-points of the main circuit and providedwith a nose, e", adapted to engage with a lever, E, whereby the lever Fis held in its normal position, an armature-lever, c3, adapted toenga-ge against said lever E and release the lever F when saidarmature-lever is vibrated, and an apron, b',adapted to engage over anose or hook, c6, of the armature-lever, and which is simultaneouslyreleased'with the lever F by the vibration of said armature-lever,subst-antially as set forth.

8. The combination, in a switch-board system, of a non-conductive diskprovided with a ground-point, d, a movable conductive tube,

G G', connected with said tube and formin their normal position, andmechanism, substantially as described, whereby said levers G G' aremoved automatically from the groundpoint, substantially as setforth,...`

9. The combination, in a switch-board system, with a series ofnon-conductive disks, D each provided with a ground-point, d, deadcontact-point d', and local contactpoints p, of -lincs n2, connectingsaid points p with the corresponding points on every othery disk on thetube, G3, forming part of the circuit and ar-V ranged centrally ineachof said disks,and levers G G', connected with said tubes G3, and forminga contact with the ground-point d when in their normal position and witheither the outpoint d or one ofthe local out-points p when moved out oftheirnormal position, substantially as set forth.

an actuating-lever, F, a stop-lever, E, whereby 5. The combinatiomwith amovable termiftact-point N to the contact-point N', when it is releasedby said yannunciator mechanism, v.

f 2, connecting said bell-crank with the lever' IIO G3, arrangedcentrally in said disk, levers ing a contact with the ground-point dwhen same section or table, a movable conductive v 10. In a switch-boardsystem, the combination, with a disk, D, of'a movable conductivetube,G3, arranged centrally in said disk, levers G G', secured to saidtube and adapted to come spective terminal points, substantially as setforth.

1l. In a switchboard system, the combination, with a disk, D, providedwith a series of contact-points, d, eZ', and p, of a tube, G3, ar-

ranged centrally in said disk, levers G G,con

nectcd with said tube and adapted to engage with said contactpoints, theannular contactsurfaces'h 7L h2 h3, attached to said tube, so as-to movetherewith, and a hand-lever, G*, substan tially as set forth.

12. In a telephone switch-board system, the combination, with theterminal levers G G',

tube G3, having contactpoint m5, and the tele-y phone M, ofthepush-button I, having. contactpoints j j?, adapted to engage with thecontactpoint mi and a contact-point, m, respectively, when the button isdepressed, whereby the telephoneM is looped in on the main-circuit,

substantially as set forth.

13. In a telephone switchsystem, the combination, with the hand-leverGmetallic conductive tube G3, and terminal levers G G', of a metallicdisk,'Z3, formed in the hand-lever and connected with the generator, apush-button, K, provided with a contact-point, Z', adapted to engagewith a stationary nose, Z5, of the tube G3, when the push-button isdepressed, and connect the generator with the main circuit,substantially as set forth.

14.' In a telephone switch system, the combination, with the terminallevers G G and tube G3, having the contact-pointf, of a button I,provided with a contactpoint, j, engaging against the point jf of thetube G3, substantially as set forth.

15. In a switch system, the combination, with the disks D, levers G G',tubes G3, and contact-points d', of plugs d3, connected with saidcontact-points cZ, and a series of openings, d", adapted to receive saidplugs when the same are not in use, substantially as set forth.

16.` In a switch-board system, the combina tion, with two or more boardsor sections, A B C, each of which is provided with local contact-pointsd', of plugs d3, connected with said contact-points d', a series ofthrough contactpoints, P, arranged upon each section,and numbered tocorrespond with the local contactpoints on every other section, andwires p, connecting each annunciator with every con- ,tact-point P oneach table or section which corresponds with the number of theannunciator from which said Wire p* emanates, sub stantially as setforth.

Witness our hands this 18th day of February., 1886. I

CLAUDE C. GOULD.

` VVAL'ION SMITH.

Witnesses:

JNO. J. BONNER, CARL F. GEYER.

SOl

